*** UPDATE *** The debt is finally paid…

“I’ve been a Bears fan all my life, and this is not easy,” a grimacing Quinn said as he donned the hated green and gold shirt at the Shalom Center Food Pantry. “I’ve never worn a Packers jersey and I hope I never have to wear one again.”

Quinn lost his bet with the Republican cheesehead when the Packers beat the Bears 21-14 at Soldier Field in January.

He tried to soften the blow by picking the number 75 jersey of Packers tackle Bryan Bulaga, who Quinn said “had the good sense to be born in Illinois,” and by wearing a signed number 40 Bears jersey underneath.

“Gayle Sayers is closer to my heart,” Quinn joked as he peeled back the Packers jersey to reveal Sayers’ autograph, momentarily provoking a panic among onlookers afraid that he might continue to strip.

[ *** End Of Update *** ]

* Wisconsin is learning what just about everybody in Illinois already knows. The state is always late paying its bills. This time, though, it wasn’t for lack of funds, but lack of will…

Gov. Pat Quinn will trade his normal suit and tie for a Green Bay Packers jersey when he travels to Kenosha today to settle a losing bet that the Bears would win January’s NFC Championship game.

The state’s Democratic governor made the wager with Wisconsin Republican Gov. Scott Walker nearly seven months ago, but it’s taken Quinn a while to pony up. Wisconsin has had labor unrest and mass protests under Walker.

Instead of just making the usual bet over state foods and beverages, Quinn decided he’d go all dramatic and require that the losing governor would appear at a food bank in the winning state wearing the winner’s jersey. But, he’s still not backing away from his team…

Quinn joked about his predicament shortly after declaring today Richard Dent Day in honor of the former Bear, who will be enshrined in the football Hall of Fame the same day Quinn fulfills his bet.

“If you are going to the Hall of Fame, you can say a prayer for me,” Quinn said to Dent.

The football star said he’d be happy to oblige, but suggested Quinn use his situation to inspire the team to do even better this season

Quinn took it one step further, channeling the powers of his office.

“We almost made it last year to the Super Bowl, and this year we will make it, and we will win,” Quinn said. “That’s my executive order to the team.”

* Quinn also had some harsh words for our neighbors to the north last month…

“We’ll pay the bet, and this year the Bears will beat the Packers twice and go to the conference championship and win, and then hopefully win the Super Bowl,” Quinn said. “But we’ve had enough of these cheeseheads.”

Ouch.